Laura Guevara, an owner of the laundromat, said that this year a literacy program, aided by grants, the local library and a nonprofit group called Libraries Without Borders, helped stock books for children who wait at the business with their families.There are books in English, Arabic, Spanish and Mandarin, placed low so children can wander up to them. Children no longer play in the parking lot or run around inside, Ms. Guevara said. Instead, they read on rugs and chairs. The local librarian drops in for story time.